Quick question ... and maybe a daft one in that... Is this the same squad we will assemble for the NPC (or what ever its called these days) ?

The NRC squads tend to be ~35 players, and the Force only has about that number on their books anyway. So they may rest some players (there may not be a lot of point to play experienced internationals like Fourie, Thrush or Pisi), but I wouldn't expect a wide-scale call-up of local players; a fair amount of the young, local talent is in the side anyway. I'm not expecting any of the Force/Spirit players from last year who have moved East to be made available to us, and RA might even ask for, eg, Alcock, Power, Deegan, Iona and Davies to be released back to their other NRC clubs.

It does make me wonder whether Fourie, Thrush and Pisi are going to actually play for us. Fourie would have to oust Iona and Brache, who are looking great and getting a good combination. Pisi would be in a similar position, or try and oust Deegan at 10 (who's been a real find!). Thrush would be a step-up over Lee-Warner, Bardoul and Power, but will only have 3-4 games to make his mark if he only plays the WSR and not the NRC.

I do wonder whether Thrush, Pisi, and even Fourie aren't looking at coaching or player-coaching gigs in the wider WSR/IPRC next year. Any of them would be a good addition to a side trying to start from scratch, alongside a more experienced coach, but providing a 'star name' player who can draw the crowd and combining them with a stepping stone to coaching. Our defense has looked very good at times so far, especially given the short preparation time, and I wonder whether that's down to Fourie (who said he wanted to coach defense) or the other coaches.

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Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

Fourie and Thrush are more of coaching roles than a playing roles. Fourie has even been released from the "300 hours club duties" that others must carry out and I expect Thrush will be the same on arrival.

Not sure about Pisi, but I expect Brache will have some USA duties leading up to RWC so I doubt any NRC for him.

I'm not expecting any of the Force/Spirit players from last year who have moved East to be made available to us, and RA might even ask for, eg, Alcock, Power, Deegan, Iona and Davies to be released back to their other NRC clubs.

To hold both of those positions would put ra into quite an actionable position, given player contracting etc. A consistent policy would be safer, but they're not known for playing safe, are they?

To hold both of those positions would put ra into quite an actionable position, given player contracting etc. A consistent policy would be safer, but they're not known for playing safe, are they?

No, they are known for trying to screw Rugby WA for anything they can. if I were a conspiracy theorist, then I'd wager that we may not get the rub of many refereeing decision come the NRC to prevent us walking away with the comp. I certainly expect us to get few TV games (as normal).

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Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon